Share Internet Access Wirelessly

If you plan to use a computer to share Internet access, you can do so using Windows 98 Second Edition's Internet Connection Sharing software. However, your better choice is to purchase an inexpensive router (less than $100) and let the router share the Internet connection (as we detail in Chapter 10). Here's why:

If you use ICS instead of a router, you will need to leave a computer on at all times, and connected to the Internet, to share the connection.

A router will share your Internet connection without tying up a computer for hosting duties and will provide security against hackers by hiding your network computers from hackers on the Internet.

If you have Windows XP/2000 machines, check out the next chapter for the steps to connecting those computers to your network. If you have a router or want to set up Internet Connection Sharing, check out Chapter 9.